Dangote Says He Would Rather Be Jailed Than Lose Access to His Phone

According to a report by Vanguard on October 19, 2026, Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote has revealed how important his mobile phone is to him, saying he would rather be sent to prison than have the device taken away.

Dangote made the remark during an event in Lagos where he presented his Vision 2030 plan, an initiative focused on advancing Africa’s industrial development.

The billionaire was asked to choose between spending a week without his phone and losing access to his private jet. His response suggested that, despite his access to luxury and business resources, being without his phone would be particularly difficult.

“Ah… I think it’s easier you put me in prison than to take my phone away. So, you know, I mean taking my phone away is no-go area, okay?” he said.

Dangote also disclosed that his phone contains more than 13,000 contacts, reflecting the extensive network of relationships he has built over the years.

“I know that would be almost… my number — I have that number since… Twitter… I have more than 13,000 contacts on my phone,” he added.

When reacting to the size of his contact list, the industrialist explained that he rarely blocks people, a habit that may have contributed to the number of contacts stored on his device.

“Wow. Wow. I hardly… I don’t like blocking people, so a lot of people,” he said.

The comments offer a glimpse into Dangote’s approach to communication and maintaining relationships. For a businessman whose interests extend across several industries and African markets, staying connected can be an important part of managing professional relationships.

Dangote is the president and chief executive of Dangote Group, one of Africa’s major industrial conglomerates. Its operations span sectors including cement, fertiliser and oil refining, with investments aimed at expanding local manufacturing and reducing reliance on imported products.

One of the group’s most prominent projects is the Dangote Petroleum Refinery in Lagos, a major investment intended to increase domestic fuel-processing capacity and reshape Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector.

His Vision 2030 announcement places industrial expansion at the centre of his ambitions for Africa. However, his remarks about his phone offered a more personal moment during the event, revealing the value he places on staying accessible to the people in his network.